Safety operating mechanism.



H. DE SMITH.

. SAFETY OPERATING MECHANISM.

Y APPLICATION F [LED SEPT- 19, I914. RENEWED Dl IC. l2.1918.

1,2953%; Patented Feb.25,1919.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

H. DE SMITH.

SAFETY OPERATING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT-l9. \914. RENEWED DEC. 12.1918.

1,2953%70 Y Patented Feb. 25, 1919;

2 SHEETS-gHEET 2.

wi bnme/a BNTTED STATES BATENT OFFICE.

HENRY DE SMITH, OF ROCHESTER, NEW YORK, ASSIGN OR TO M. D. KNOWLTON COM- PANY, OF ROCHESTER, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

SAFETY OPERATING MECHANISM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 25, 1919.

Application filed September 19, 1914, Serial No. 862,549. Renewed December 12, 1918. Serial No. 266,494.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY DE SMITH, citizen of the United States, and resident of Rochester, inthe county of Monroe and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Safety Operating Mechanism, of which the followin is a specification.

This invention relates to safety operating mechanism for box staying machines, presses, punching machines and the like, and has for its object to provide an improved safety operating mechanism designed to preclude the possibility of the operators hand or fingers becoming injured by the work-performing element during the operation of the machine. In fact, any obstruction in the path of the work-performing element, other than the work to be operated upon, will prevent the work-performing element from. receiving the necessary power to perform its work, thus insuring the parts against breakage and preventing in jury to the obstruction.

The invention consists in providing improved automatic means for positively connecting the work-performing element with the actuating means just prior to the engagement of the work by said element. At all other times, positive connection between the actuating means and the Work-performing element is prevented. Therefore, if an ob struction, such as the operators hand is encountered during the movement of the workperforming element, no harm will be done, as the work-performing element is not, at that time, positively connected with the actuating means. If no obstruction lies in the path of the work-performing element, the automatic means is permitted to operate to positively connect the actuating means with the work-performing element just before the latter reaches the work, and is also permitted to operate to disconnect the actuating means from the work-performing element just after the engagement of the work by the work-performing element. If the workperforming element encounters no obstruction, the Work is, therefore, properly acted upon, as the work-performing element is furnished with the requisite amount of power from the actuating means.

The improvements involved in the present invention over previous devices of the same general character will be more speci fically pointed out as'the specification proceeds.

The specific form of safety operating mechanism illustrated in the accompanying drawings is designed especially for a stay ing machine, and is shown in the drawings as applied to such a machine, but, as will hereinafter appear, it may be used on any machine where circumstances permit.

Referring to the drawings Figure 1 is a partial side elevation of a boxstaying machine, certain parts being broken away to show the safety operating mechanism;

Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the safety operating mechanism; 7

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the construction shown in Fig. 52, certain parts being represented in section; and

Fig. 4 is a front elevation of the safety operating mechanism corresponding to Fig. 2, but showing the parts in the position which they assume just prior to the engagement of the work by the work-performing element.

The actuating shaft of the staying machine is shown at A, and, in the present instance, is provided with an eccentrically mounted crank pin B. The slide of the staying machine is represented at C, and is provided with a pin D, which is connected with the eccentrically mounted pin B of the actuating shaft by means of the link 1 forming a part of the improved safety oper ating mechanism, and to be hereinafter more fully described. The slide C carries the usual movable pressing die E, which cooperates with the stationary box-supportink die or anvil F.

The link 1 is journaled on the crank pin B, preferably by means of a bushing G, and is provided at its lower extremity with a relatively large and elongated opening 2, in which the pin D of the slide engages, thus making, in effect, a slotted connection between the link 1 and the work-performing element or movable die E of the machine.

The link 1, which is a full link, has an inwardly extending hub portion 3 co-axial with the crank pin B, on which is journaled a depending gag 4. The said gag 4, which gag is in the nature of a half link, carries near its lower extremity, a pin 5, which engages in a suitable slot 6 formed in an actuatingelement or looking bar 6, pivotally carrotating in the direction indicated by the arrow in Fig. 2, the link 1 will descendfrom the position shown in Fig. 2, and 'the slide C and pin D will descend therewith. Due to the weight of the slide, the pin D will remain in the lower extremity of the slot or opening 2. The pin 10 and projection 9 are so positioned that the former will engage with the latter when the movable die E is about fi ths of an inch from the wor I to be operated upon. hen the pin 10 so engages with the projection 9, the element 6 will be shifted around its pivotal connection 8, thereby shifting the gag 4 from the position shown in Fig. 2 to that shown in Fig. 1-. Then so shifted, the gag assumes substantially a vertical position and serves to posi tively connect the actuating means with the work-performing element. The lower eX- tremity of the gag 4: is shaped so as to cooperate with the rounded surface of the pin D and provide a good bearing surface, as shown at 11. WV-hen the gag is in the position shown in Fig. 1, power will be transmitted from the crank pin directly to the pin 1) through the intermediary of the gag 4, and the work will, therefore, be properly acted upon. On the up stroke of the link 1, the pin D is lifted and the pin 10 serves toshift the element 6 back to the position shown in Fig; 2, in which position it remains until the worl performing element is again within f ths of an inch of the work 'ina subsequent cycle of operations.

If anobstruction, such as the operators hand or any obstacle more than ths of an inch in thickness, lies in the path of the movable die E, the said movable die and the pin D will be held stationary by the obstruction, but the link 1 will continue its downward stroke, which is permitted by the opening 2 therein. As the pin 10 is prevented, by the obstructioinfrom reaching the projection 9, the element 6 will not be shifted, and the gag 1 will remain in the position shown in Fig. 2. In fact, the pin 10 will positively prevent inward movement of the element 6,

and will, therefore, hold the gag in the position shown in 2. As the link 1 and gag 4 descend, the gag will, therefore, pass to one side of the pin D and the positive connectionbetween the actuating means and the work-performing element will not be effected. As nopressure isapplied to the pin D, 111- casethedie E. meets with an obstruction,

no harm can be done, and, in the event that the obstruction happens to be the operators hand, he will be uninjured. The positive connection between the actuating means and the work-performing element is established only when no obstruction lies in the path of the work-performing element.

In the event that the relative movement between the die E and the lower extremity of the link 1 would cause the extremity of the link to contact with the head H, the link 1 could be made collapsible, as shown in the drawings, although this is not necessary where there is no danger of contact between the head H and the extremity of the link. Obviously, if the extremity of the link comes into contact with the head H, when an obstruction lies under the die E, pressure will be applied to the same, unless the link 1 is made collapsible. This may be done by forming the link of two parts, and providing one of the parts with a slot or opening 12, through which pins 13 pass, which pins may be secured to the other part of the link, as clearly shown in Figs. 2 and 3. If the op erators hand is caught between the dies and the upper die E held far enough up to permit the link to contact with the same, said link will collapse or yield without applying pressure to the movable die, and thereby injuring the operators hand.

It will be noted that the foregoing construction differs materially from the previous devices of the same general character, in that heretofore telescopic parts have been depended upon to yield and thereby prevent injury to the operators hands. In such a construction, the parts only yield and move relative to each other when an obstruction is encountered, and there is, therefore, no as sura-nce that the friction between the parts will. be sufliciently small, and that the parts will satisfactorily yield. in case of emergency. In the present construction, the relatively movable parts are actuated during each cycle of operations, thereby making it certain that these parts will properly move relative to each other incase of emergency, such as when the operators hand lies in the path of the movable die.

What I claim is 1. In safety operating mechanism of the kind described, the combination with a work-performing element and an actuating element, of a link yieldingly connecting said elements, a gag pivotally associated with one of said elements, and means associated with the other element and operated thereby just prior tothe engagement of the work bythe work-performing element to shift said gag and thereby establish a positive connection between the actuating element and the workperforniing element.

2. In safety ope-ratingmechanism of the kind described, the combination with a I swing about sai work-performing element and an actuating element such as a crank pm, of a link actuated by said crank pin and having a loose connection with the work-performing element, a gag pivotally associated with one of said elements, and means associated with the other element and operated thereby just prior to the engagement of the work by the work-performing element to shift said gag and thereby establish a positive connection between the actuating element and the work performing element.

3. In safety operating mechanism of the kind described, the combination with a work-performing element and an actuating means including a crank pin, of a link actuated by said crank pin and having a slotted connection with the work-performing element, a gag mounted to swing about said crank-pin as an axis, and means automatically operable just prior to the engagement of the work by the work-performing element to shift said gag and thereby establish a positive connection between the actuating means and the work-performing element.

4. In safety operating mechanism of the kind described, the combination with a workperforming element and an actuating means including a crank pin, of a link actuated by said crank pin yieldingly connected to said work-performin element, a gag mounted to crank pin as an axis, and means automatically operable just prior to the engagement of the work by the workperforming element to shift said gag and thereby establish a positive connection between the actuating means and the work performing element.

5. In safety operating mechanism of the kind described, the combination with a workperforming element and an actuating means, of a link actuated by said actuating means and yieldingly connected to said work-performing element, a gag adapted to be shifted to establish a positive connection between the actuating means and the work-performing element, a pivoted element carried by a stationary part of the machine adapted to be actuated by the movement of the workperformin element, and connections between said pivoted element and the gag whereby the latter is automatically shifted to establish the positive connection between the actuating means and the work-performing element.

6. In safety operatingmechanism of the kind described, the comblnation with a workperforming element and an actuating means, of a link actuated by said actuating means and yieldingly connected to said work-performing element, a gag adapted to be shifted to establish a positive connection between the actuating means and the workperforming element, a pivoted element carried by a stationary part of the machine adapted to be actuated by the movement of the work-performin element and provided with a slot, and a pin on said gag engaging in said slot whereby the movement of the said pivoted element by the work-performing element shifts the gag to establish the positive connection between the actuating means and the work-performing element and also returns the gag to its initial position.

7 In safety operating mechanism of the kind described, the combination with a workperforming element and an actuating ele ment, of a link yieldingly connecting said elements, a gag pivotally associated with one of said elements, and means associated with the other element and operated thereby just prior to the engagement of the work by the work-performing element to shift said gag and thereby establish a positive connection between the actuating element and the workperforming element, said means being automatically operated after the engagement of the work by the worl performing element to shift the gag back to its initial position.

8. In a machine having a work-engaging element and an anvil, means for reciprocating said element, including a relatively movable full link and half link, means to lock said full link and half link when the path of the element to the work is free, and means for maintaining the link and half link unlocked when the path of the element to the work is obstructed.

9. A safety attachment for machines equipped with a reciprocating work-engaging element and an anvil comprisi a full link and a half link, relatively mova lo, and means controlled by the movements of the element to lock and unlock said full link and 05 half link.

10. In a safety device for imparting movement to the reciprocatitng work-engaging element, a full link and a half link relatively movable, a locking bar therefor, and auto matic means controlled by the movements of the element for actuatin the locking bar 1t o 1lock and unlock the full link and half in c.

11. In a safety device for machines 5 equipped with a driving mechanism, an anvil and a reciprocating work-engaging element, a full link, a movable link and a looking bar for connecting the element and driving mechanism, and means controlled by the movements of the element to automatically actuate the link mechanism to render the same rigid or movable, as and for the purpose described.

' 12. In combination with an anvil, a workengaging element, and a driving mechanism therefor, means comprising a full link and a half link to connect the driving means and the work engaging element, means to lock said link and half link to cause a pressure to be exerted upon the anvil by the work-em gaging element at a predetermined. point in the working stroke of the latter, and means to maintain said link and half link inoperative to produce pressure upon the anvil when an obstruction is interposed between the anvil and work-engaging element, which obstruction is thicker than the work.

13. The combination with a work-performing element and its actuating means, of yieldable means for driving the former from the latter, and means associated with the work-performing element for rendering the yielda'ble means rigid just prior to the engagement of the work by the work performing element, if the path of said element to the work is free.

let. In a machine having a work-engaging element and an anvil, driving means for reciprocating said element comprising a link and a pawl, said link being a one piece member engaging at its opposite ends with the work-engaging element and the driving means respectively, and cam means to automatically operate the pawl to render the work-engaging element inoperative should an obstruction extraneous to the work appear on the anvil.

15. In combination with an anvil, a workengaging element, driving means, a multipart breakable and slidable connection between the element and driving means to actuate the element, automatic means to normally maintain said connection broken, said connection embodying a one-piece link operatively engaged at its opposite ends with the driving means and woreengaging element respectively, and automatic means to make the connection when there is a free space between the anvil and said element.

16. In combination with an anvil, a workengaging element and. drivin means, a connection embodying a link and a pivoted slid ing part between the driving means and ele ment to actuate the latter, said link being a one-piece member engaging at oppositeends with the work-engaging element and the driving means respectively, means to automatically and normally maintain the connection inoperative throughout the major portion of its working stroke, and means to automatically render the connection operative upon the final portion of the working stroke and when there is free space between the work on the anvil and the element.

17. In a machine having a work-performing element and an actuating eccentric, a safety link connecting the same and comprising two parts normally inoperative for transmitting power to the work-performing element, one of said parts being connected to the actuating eccentric and the other to the work-performing element and automatically operablev means to shift one of said parts just prior to the engagement of the work by the work performing element to render said part operative for-transmitting power to the work-performing element.

18. In a machine of the kind described, the combination with the actuating eccentric and the work-performing element of two power transmitting elements, one being mounted on the eccentric and the other associated with the work-performing element, positively acting controllingmeans normally maintaining said power transmitting elements in inoperative relation and operable to permit of same assuming operative relation just prior to the engagement of the work by the work-performin element, and means for automatically shifting one of said elements to its operative position.

Signed at Rochester, in the county of Monroe and State of New York, this 12th day of Sept, A. D. 1914.

HENRY DE SMITH. lVitnesses TI-IOS. D. PAT'roN, ROBERT J. GARRIsoN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained. for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patenta, Washington, D. 0. 

